The 40-year-old only missed out on silver by 0.06 seconds – but came in behind winner Mercy Cherono (15 minutes, 7.21 seconds) and Janet Kisa (15:08.90), both representing Kenya.

Pavey, who won silver at the Melbourne Games in 2006, had to battle through torrential rain at Hampden Park stadium on Saturday to split a Kenyan trio competed by Margaret Muriuki (15:10.38) in fourth.

The mum-of-two said: “The fact I’ve got two kids and my youngest is only 10 months old feels almost comical to me.

“To be out there trying to race against the Kenyans and get a medal is like a dream – hopefully I can inspire some mums to get fit.

“My little boy was watching – it was so great to give him a hug after the race. The fact I’m 40 now makes this medal seem almost funny.”

She added: “I haven’t been on any training camps, I was still breast-feeding at the start of April. Being a mum is my main thing now.

“It seems funny being out there – now changing nappies and doing meals means I don’t have a minute to relax.”

Pavey, who first medalled at the Madrid World Cup in 2002 as a 28-year-old, turns 41 next month and intended not to leave Glasgow with any regrets.

She said: “I made myself think that the Kenyans weren’t unbeatable and when I hit the bell I thought just ‘don’t regret this last lap’.

“I wanted to push on at the bell but not blow up in the home straight. I gave it my all in the home straight, I was convinced they would come past me, but I got a medal and I can’t believe it.

“I was trying to push the pace because I knew if I did nothing until the last lap I would regret it, so I gave it a go and I’m really happy.”

Meanwhile, St Mary’s student Beth Potter took fifth in the 10,000m, Andy Vernon finished sixth in the 5,000m, Emelia Gorecka came eighth in the 5,000m and Charlie Grice finished seventh in the 1,500m.

Long distance lady: St Mary’s University student Beth Potter, right, en route to fifth in the Commonwealth Games 10,000m last weekend Picture: SWPix

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